REACH, a student organization that provides support for students interested in social media and content creation, held its first creator panel for over 80 attendees at the Campus Instructional Facility on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
The panel featured five student influencers who gave advice on how to start creating content along with background on their own journeys. One creator, Chahat Kapoor, a junior in Business, explained how her journey as a content creator began.
“I started making content to help people,” Kapoor said. “Being a first-generation immigrant coming to college, I felt like there was so much I didn’t know … I just want to be a resource for people.”
The panel was open to the public, attracting members of REACH as well as non-members to go. Parker Mitchell, freshman in AHS, talked about why he came to the panel.
“There’s a lot of experienced content creators, and recently I started making some content,” Mitchell said.
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His story mirrors the current rise in influencer marketing across all industries, with the overall creator economy projected to be worth $480 billion by 2027 according to a recent Forbes article. At the same time, Gen Z’s interest in entering the business has risen.
According to another Forbes article, one in four people in Gen Z say they plan to become an influencer. REACH seeks to provide support to this growing demographic.
“The main goal of our organization is to promote social media resources for people to build their own personal brand,” said Philip Vu, creative director of REACH.
According to Phil Edat, president of REACH, the organization is national, with chapters at campuses around the country and partnerships with major brands like Tinder. The University’s chapter began last spring in an effort to create an influencer marketing community on campus and connect interested students to the national network.
The club hosts social events, workshops on personal brand building and marketing and talks from experts in the field.
“Whether you’re running a start-up or you’re promoting your own music or company, marketing is really important,” said Rishi Atreya, co-vice president of marketing for REACH. “To understand how to put what you’re doing in front of other people is huge for your career.”
As the influencer market and the power of social media platforms continue to grow, REACH uses these events to equip its members with the skills to become a part of the conversation.
“If you want to spread a message, which is what Gen Z is really passionate about, content creation is so important,” said Aalya Masud, co-vice president of marketing for REACH.
The panelists also echoed the importance of content in today’s digital world, with many citing it as an interest they’ve had for years.
“(Content creation) is huge,” Kapoor said. “Honestly, one of the biggest things ever. Being a marketing major, I learn about it every single day in all my classes … It is what Gen Z is obsessed with. There’s a lot to learn about it and the industry is constantly growing … I don’t think it’s going away anytime soon and it’s just going to advance more and more.”
